GoCar Las Vegas Tour Review: Is it Worth the Hype?

If you are after seeing Las Vegas in a unique way, you might be curious about the GoCar tour. These little yellow vehicles promise a self-guided adventure. I thought I would test this out and share what I found, so you can see if this kind of activity is right for your exploration plans.

What’s the Deal with GoCar?

A GoCar, you see, is like a small, talkative car that you drive yourself around a city. What happens is, using GPS, it gives you turn-by-turn directions and tells you stuff about the sites you are cruising past. It’s kinda like having a tour guide. Still, you’re in charge of where you go and how long you stay. For seeing spots at your own speed, that’s a tempting thought.

The “Ultimate” Las Vegas GoCar Tour

So, then, I tried out their “Ultimate” Las Vegas tour. Allegedly, it shows you all the well-known places, like the Strip, downtown, and also spots further off like the Arts District. Basically, it’s an extended loop with, like, over 50 points of interest. That does sound good if you want to see as much as you can in a relatively short space of time.

Booking and Prep

Reserving a GoCar is pretty simple enough; there are quite a few options online or straight at their location, more or less. You’ll need a valid driver’s license, that, and be over 21. What you should know, anyway, is that you should book ahead, mostly if you’re visiting during peak season or on a weekend, or whatever. On arrival, there’s, like, a little bit of paperwork. It includes, really, a waiver and watching a safety demonstration.

Getting Going

After the preliminary stuff, you get acquainted with the GoCar. In a way, the controls are easy, but driving a tiny, open-top vehicle down Las Vegas streets can be, you know, a little unnerving at the beginning. Yet, you get comfortable with it pretty quickly, clearly.

The Route and What You See

The tour did its job showing me a bunch of sights. It starts with the Strip. Passing by all the big hotels like the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, really. As I went, the GoCar was telling me odd facts and a little history. Then it’s downtown to see Fremont Street and some, like, older casinos, too it’s almost.

Fremont Street Experience

Driving down Fremont Street in a GoCar is something to check out, basically. It’s loud. The overhead light show provides a cool effect as you roll underneath, yet you’re probably going slowly as there are lots of pedestrians.

The Arts District

Away from the well-known sights, the tour takes you through the Arts District. What this provides, seemingly, is a look at a different aspect of Las Vegas, with galleries and art everywhere you look. A good way, then, to see things beyond casinos and resorts.

What’s Good and Not So Good

The Upsides

Flexibility: Doing things at your own speed and selecting what to see more of is a great plus.
Informative: You do get info about the locations. Even, really, if some of it is pretty basic.
Unique: Driving a GoCar is definitely something different than jumping on a tour bus or hailing taxis, honestly.

The Downsides

Cost: GoCars are kind of expensive, that, especially if you rent them for a longer time.
Traffic: The Vegas traffic is often, I feel, a nightmare, and being in a small GoCar among bigger vehicles is sometimes anxiety-inducing.
Audio Glitches: I did find some audio directions cutting out or being a little off, sometimes.

Tips for Having the Best Time

Wear sunscreen: You are out in the open, therefore sunscreen is useful even on cloudy days, arguably.
Bring water: It gets very hot in Las Vegas, so hydrating makes real sense.
Plan your stops: Know the stuff you really are hoping to see. In other words, you won’t use up all your time in one spot.
Watch the time: Keep aware of your rental time. Anyway, those late fees can hurt, right?

Is It Worth It?

So then, is the “Ultimate” Las Vegas GoCar tour a good use of your time and cash? In a way, if you like being in charge and doing something unique, and don’t mind the price tag, it could be fun. Should you be on a strict budget or dislike dealing with tourist traffic, you could pick another way of seeing town.

Alternatives to GoCar

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Those buses will be cool if you wanna see stuff while having a guide tell you a bit, even though, mind, it is still a bus journey.
Walking Tours: If you enjoy being active and getting up close with the sites, consider these excursions. It gives you more time looking over bits, right.
Ride-Sharing: Services are basically easy for zipping around the Strip and going between venues.

FAQs About the GoCar Tour

How long does the Ultimate Las Vegas GoCar Tour usually take?

The “Ultimate” tour commonly lasts around three to four hours. But this often changes based on traffic, how often you stop, and whether or not you end up being totally captivated by, for instance, any given location.

Can two people ride on one GoCar?

Yep. GoCars hold two people. Good to note, all the same, is only the driver better be over 21 with a valid license.

Is there a particular time of day that’s best for taking the GoCar tour?

Early morning or later in the afternoon helps dodge the heaviest traffic. Plus, basically, in summer the Vegas sun is quite brutal around midday.

What happens if the GoCar breaks down during the tour?

The business, that is GoCar, offers roadside service. In any case, you just contact them. They’ll resolve the issue or get you a different vehicle.

Can I go off the designed tour route?

In principle, yeah. It does void certain assurances, anyway. I suggest staying relatively on course for getting the most from the audio guide and, really, staying in secure zones.